The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-07-30

Evidently she had recognized them both;
but, for some reason, it failed TO disturb
the equanimity of Mr. Thorndike's spirits
as it once might have.
In short, he cared nothing at all about it,
nor aid he even think anything of it until
he had reached his hotel that evening.
Then he did think that perhaps person of
Efhe's disposition might be inclined to
make much out of little.
He was now thoroughly satisfied that
| Effie did not love him, and also he had
| slowly awakened to the fact that he never
| could have been actually In love with her.
His valet could probably have given him a
reason for this conclusion; Vet Howard
himself did not dream of the construc-
ton hich Sandy put to his attentions 10
Marie
He conjectured how he could gracefully
Withdraw from his engagement with Efie
Apparently IT was an uncongenial one to
both. He decided he would call and talk
the matter over with her in the morning
When morning came he called at Elites
address, and she was absent lie then
strolled around TO the flower store where
Sandy told him that Mrs Insley was
worse, and Marie had been suddenly called
home
He sauntered aimlessly down Fourteenth
street to Eighth avenue, then leisurely
walked up town until he reached Jones
drygoOds emporium, on the corner Of
Nineteenth street and Ninth avenue.
A carriage passed by, and he thought he
recognized Elites face within it.
Watching the vehicle, he saw it stop in
front of the house where Marie resided.
when a lady got out and assembled the
steps.
1t was almost too far for him to see: but
l. IL, !
as she was probably unacQuaintei there, or
even in the vicinity.
He crossed the stree, intending to con-
tinue his walk up Eighth avenue, but he
changed his mind by the time he reached
the other side, and retrncing his steps he
walked rapidly down Nineteenth street.
He was soon near enough to recognize
Etfie's coachman, who sat on the box with
eyes shut, awaiting the return of his mis-
tress.
He hesitated moment, then assembled
the steps, rang the bell, and inquired for
Marie.
Mrs. Campbell conducted him into the
little back parlor. which she reserved for
herself, aud told him that Miss Insley was
engaged for few moments but would see
him soon. He laid his hat, cane, and gloves
on the center table, and inhaled a sweet
center. He was well aware of Sandy's in
terest in the little Scotch widow; also of
his peculiar and systematic mode of pro-
cedure while laying siege to her heart, and
therefore readily recognized the bouquet
as one OF Sandy's daily mute reminders
that she was his preference.
As he sat upon a sofa that was placed
against the folding door which divided the
front and back parlors, he began to con-
lecture as to whether Marie's being en-
gagged meant in attendance on her mother
or with caller who. in the latter case,
might be Fife He had never heard either
of them speak of the other, and he ques-
toned if they had ever met save on the
! boards or at rehearsals.
He hardly understood why he had called
on Marie, although he had spasmodically
made uD his mind to attempt to aid her If
she could be indnced to accept his we'll
meant kindness, and he was trying to think
Of some reasonable excuse for profforing
his assistance What he had thought of
doing, for several weeks past, was to get
her consent for him to pay the family's ex-
penses during a sojOurn in the South, at
/ tended by a physician, for otherwise he
cou see no relief for the poor mother
save death.
He could hear voices in the front parlor,
aud he finally recognized. as the voices be-
came louder and more animated, the voices
of both Elite and Marie.
He heard Effie, in sneering tones make
insulting insinuations to Marie about her
association with himself and was horror
struck TO think that such a construction
could be placed on his motives In seeking
the young girl s acquaintance.
As E.tie grew more and more excited she
ma rr1Tl bp vala 70
him, for she .Etfiei had made a better
market elsewhere. and wound up her vim
dictiye raillery by throwing the engagement
ring, gwen her by Howard, at the feet of
the completely astonished girl, who was
then perfectly speechless with indignation.
You had better put it on, for it is quite
unlikely you Will ever get wedding ring
from him, he heard Ellie say, as parting
insult when she opened the paror door to
60 out.
He Quickly stepped to the door himself,
and called:
Miss Desmond"
Etfie turned, and as their eyes met they
positively gared at each other.
Miss Desmond, this is not the time nor
the place which l would have chosen to say
what | shall say to you now. he said. You
have cruelty wronged that poor, innocent
girl ever since you first met her | over
heard the conversation between you for the
last few minutes, and will ONLY refer to it
by saying | hope you can meet your God
with the consc BUSINESS of being as pure
and innocent of contamination in this
world as can the poor girl inside that room,
whose tender feelings you have outraged by
your base and unworthy insinuatiOns.
called at your address this morning for the
purpose of seyering the uncongenIal agree
ment existing between us; but you have
severed 1t yourself and / accept nv free
dom. That loved Miss Insley l was not
aware myself until l heard the Infamous
construction you placed upon the friend
ship EXISTING between us; but you have
awakened me to realize that | do
love her with all my heart and
soul And | now know that
have never loved a woman before. / VIII do
the best | can, and make all possible hon
orable endeayors to win her regard for my
self, and if successful l will make her my
wife. IND now, Miss Desmond, Your
venom has failed to do its work. trust
never to be obliged to look on your treach-
Gus face again. Good day"
Howard turned to enter the front parlor
as Mrs. Campbell came down stairs to show
Miss Desmond to the door.
Efhe passed out, entered her carriage, and
was driven away.
The sound of a heavy fall greeted the
ears of Howard on opening the parlor door,
IE, hi